But seriously
I posted in a hurry and I wasn't too clear. I'm pretty sure that it was the NASA TV stream itself that failed. At least, insofar as a Linux PC, a Windows PC, and the NASA app on an Android got the same results: that one stream frozen, other streams I tried worked fine.
No doubt just a few hundred read Alan's article and tuned in to see a six-hour launch-to-docking run. On Sunday thousands will try to tune in to Curiosity's landing. Damn those harbingers anyway.
Nevertheless, I think I'll roll the dice and embed a NASA TV player on the page before Sunday. Worth a shot anyway.